Enough about me! Nicole's palate surgery went as expected and all is well. She was in arm restraints for 3 weeks and has been on a soft diet for the last 5 weeks with approximately one week to go. All I can say is that she is a trooper through and through. She recovered very quickly all things considered and was very good natured throughout. Due to the surgery, we had to take away her "poor mans soother" aka the dishcloth she liked to suck on at night. Last night was the first night since the surgery that she has slept entirely through the night in her own bed. All in all though, we have nothing to complain about. Her speech is starting to come - she says "mama" (not necessarily to me), "meow" (to the cat), "hi" (to everybody), and "more". Basically all the important words... in the spirit of Christmas she has added "ho, ho, ho" to her repetoire. We meet with the speech pathologist in early January to find out next steps.
All other development continues to be excellent - physically she is BUSY! Her hearing was tested 3 weeks after the surgery and all is normal. She understands everything and seems to love music and art - which is hopefully not a sign that she will be living in our basement until she's 35!!
Alex is loving Grade 2 and is busy with her skating, Brownies and running - indoor soccer and skiing start after Christmas. She turned 7 last week and is looking VERY forward to Christmas. She still loves being a big sister although has informed us that since the surgeries "there is nothing interesting about Nicole anymore"!
Here are some pics of the "new Nicole" -
